Skene (steam)

Overview

1900 - 1901

This steamer was a typical New England light 'runabout' built by bicycle maker James W Skene of Lewiston, Maine, who somewhat grandiosely entitled his business the Skene American Automobile Company. Whilst no doubt a satisfactory product, it inevitably had to compete with the well-known Locomobile steamer that was both cheaper to make and to buy, and it has been estimated that only around twenty Skene steamers were made before any profitability ebbed away. James W subsequently became an agent for Rambler automobiles, which was undoubtedly a more financially successful activity.